I’m not American, and that may be why I find the Manhattan Declaration somewhat bizarre, and I can’t quite avoid the suspicion that the sandwich of “the sanctity of human life” and “the rights of conscience and religious liberty” are there to disguise the filling on “the dignity of marriage as the conjugal union of husband and wife”.
That sneaking suspicion aside, I do want to draw attention to the following fact. (I hope I have counted accurately.) Of the 168 religious leaders who signed up to the initial statement, there are ten women, plus an additional two who have “signed” as adjuncts to their husbands (that is, their name appears on the same line, counted as the same signature, and listed only under the husband’s job).
I suspect this is also a theological statement.
{ 5 comments }
In American thinking, “the sanctity of human life” is about abortion. It still is (IMHO) regarded as the most important political issue by the religious right.
It is a highly political american statement. It is written as if we needed a new creed, which has nothing to do with the Gospel of the good news of Jesus.
Oh the things that you will be called now, Doug….
This is a highly political statement which is attracting a cult-like following.
I think the lack of female signers is a political rather than a theological statement.
I am not an American, but I will sign this…and for all the right reasons.
Fr. Robert
Comments on this entry are closed.